JimCrawford

Biography

Date of birth

01/05/1973

Signed

26/03/1998

Country

Republic of Ireland

Although born in Chicago, Crawford grew up in Ireland and began his career playing for Bohemian F.C. in Dublin at the age of 18.

A winner of the PFAI Young Player of the Year award for the 1993/94 season, the young midfielder was then spotted by a Newcastle scout, and after a successful trial, signed a contract with the Magpies in 1995.

Making his Newcastle debut in the League Cup under Kevin Keegan, Crawford’s first team opportunities at St James’ Park were limited.

Due to only appearing in a handful of games from the subs bench, he left for loan spells at Rotherham and Dundee United before being brought to Reading in 1998 on deadline day by former Newcastle assistant manager Tommy Burns.

Making his Royals debut away to Ipswich, a week later Crawford made his Madejski Stadium bow in our 2-0 win over Stoke City.

He played six times in that initial season and 13 in the next before scoring his first Reading goal on the opening day of the 1999/00 campaign – an 85th minute winner against Bristol City.

After his playing days in Berkshire were over, Crawford’s next destination was to fly back home to Ireland to play his football for Shelbourne.

Making over 180 appearances, he helped the side in winning the League of Ireland on four occasions – 2002, 2003, 2004 and finally, in 2006.

He also captained the side but after seven years with the club, he left in 2007 to turn into management at shamrock Rovers for a period, aged 35.